Newsroom

After many weeks of interviews around the Commonwealth, the Sorensen Institute is proud to announce that the members of the High School Leaders Program 2006 and the College Leaders Program 2006 have at last been selected. Competition was especially rigorous this year, and we want to thank everyone who applied to the programs. "We are fortunate to have an incredible group of students for both programs this year," commented Marc Johnson, Director of Sorensen's Youth Programs. "We are looking forward to getting started. It's going to be a great summer." Congratulations to all our new Sorensen students!

The COLLEGE LEADERS Program begins
on May 27 and runs through June 24. The members of the College Leaders Program Class of 2006 are:

Andrew Almand, Arlington, Christopher Newport University (2006), Political Science, minor in History

Sean Banks, Midlothian, James Madison University (2009), Undeclared

Catherine Bauman, Danville, The University of Virginia (2007), Government, minor in French

Ashley Call, Fairfax, Christopher Newport University (2008), Early Childhood Psychology, minor in Italian

Daniel Carawan, Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University (2008), Political Science

Shonda Copeland, Chesapeake, Norfolk State University (2007), Political Science, minor in English Education

Brian Coy, Woodbridge, James Madison University (2006), Political Science, minor in Geology

Anja Davis, Virginia Beach, Virginia Commonwealth University (2009), Political Science

Brady DeRemer, Grand Forks Air Force Base, The University of Mary Washington (2007), Political Science, concentration in Public Policy

Brandon Eickel, Germantown, Maryland, James Madison University (2008), Political Science and Communications

Katherine Ely, Smithfield, Old Dominion University (2005), Psychology and Communications

Nancy Funkhouser, Gordonsville, The University of Virginia (2008), International Relations, minor in Economics

Elizabeth Hooper, Martinsville, Radford University (2006), Political Science, minor in History

LaAndra Jones, Alexandria, Hampton University (2006), Political Science

Andrew Lamar, Fredericksburg, The University of Mary Washington (2007), Political Science and Economics

Emad Maghsoudi, Clifton, Virginia Commonwealth University (2008), Political Science, concentration in Pre-Law

Holly Mattocks, Fairfax, The University of Virginia (2007), Foreign Affairs, minor in History

Kimberly McKay, Charlottesville, Virginia Tech (2007), History and Political Science

Eric Paulson, Port Republic, Virginia Tech (2006), Political Science (B.A.) and Dairy Science (B.S.)

Jarrett Ray, Charlottesville, James Madison University (2008), Political Science and Philosophy and Religion

Emily Reijmers, Charlottesville, Virginia Commonwealth University (2008), Political Science, minor in International Relations

Chelsea Rock, Woodbridge, University of Richmond (2006), Rhetoric and Communications Studies, minors in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Spanish

Lincoln Saunders, Kilmarnock, the College of William & Mary (2006), Government, minor in Classical Studies

Tyler Sinsabaugh, Glen Allen, Longwood University (2006), Political Science, concentration in Pre-Law, minor in History

Michael Sizemore, Collinsville, Virginia Tech (2007), Political Science, minor in Urban Affairs and Planning

Lauren Stech, Chesapeake, Radford University (2007), Political Science, minor in Business Administration

Tsion Tesfaye, Midlothian, Virginia Commonwealth University (2009), English

Veronica Tessler, Yorktown, Virginia Commonwealth University (2007), International Studies, minor in Italian

Curtis Walton, Portsmouth, Old Dominion University (2008), Political Science and Finance

Chalana Williams, Chesapeake, Radford University (2009), Political Science

The HIGH SCHOOL LEADERS Program begins on July 8 and runs through July 22. The members of the High School Leaders Program Class of 2006 are:

Mark Armstrong, Lynchburg, E.C. Glass High School (2008)

Natacha Arora, Chesapeake, Oscar F. Smith High School (2008)

Kendall Bailey, Lynchburg, , E.C. Glass High School (2007)

Adam Barton, Roanoke, Northside High School (2007)

Kaitlyn Bennett, Chesapeake, Oscar F. Smith High School (2008)

Paul Blair, Virginia Beach, First Colonial High School (2008)

Amanda Blevins, Lovingston, Nelson County High School (2007)

William Corcelius, Quicksburg, Stonewall Jackson High School (2007)

Sarah Davidson, Blackwater, Rye Cove High School (2006)

Evan Davis, Virginia Beach, First Colonial High School (2008)

Courtenay Dobbins, Danville, George Washington High School (2008)

Alexandra Fey, Keswick, St. Anne’s Belfield (2007)

Kristen Gardner, Ashland, Patrick Henry High School (2007)

Phinizy Generelly, Palmyra, Tandem Friends School (2007)

Grant Johnson, Great Falls, George C. Marshall High School (2008)

Conor Kantwill, Charlottesville, St. Anne’s Belfield (2007)

Anna Mahone, Marion, Marion Senior High School (2008)

Ellen Marsteller, Manakin-Sabot, Collegiate School (2008)

Nicholas O’Boyle, Danville, Galileo Magnet High School (2008)

Natalie Oschrin, Charlottesville, Charlottesville High School (2007)

Carlos Quintela, Oakton, Thomas Jefferson High school (2008)

Erik Rison, Ashland, Patrick Henry High School (2008)

Tully Satre, Jeffersonton, Notre Dame Academy (2007)

Marie Sicola, Ashland, Patrick Henry High School (2008)

Alia Stewart-Silver, Charlottesville, Tandem Friends School (2006)

Lauren Story, Carrsville, Windsor High School (2008)

Beau Wright, Lynchburg, E.C. Glass High School (2007)

This just in from Charlottesville: Christopher Wrobel, a third-year student at the University of Virginia and a graduate of Sorensen's College Leaders Program Class of 2005, was recently invited to join the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, capping off many years of hard work in school.

According to the UVA website: "Students are elected to Phi Beta Kappa for their stellar academic performance. Undergraduate members of Phi Beta Kappa are chosen from the top 12 percent of the fourth-year class and the top 4 percent of the third-year class.  Students chosen for Phi Beta Kappa not only have earned a high grade point average but have also consistently demonstrated scholarship in the liberal arts.  As a rule, students elected will have: (1) carried a full load of courses (15 credit hours per semester; not 12, as stated in the Undergraduate Record), (2) demonstrated proficiency in challenging advanced-level courses, and (3) chosen courses that reflect a scholarly commitment to the liberal arts in general (including a balance of courses in sciences and/or mathematics and the humanities and/or social sciences). In sum, the students who are elected choose programs that have breadth, depth, and rigor."

Chris will be working for the Sorensen Institute this summer as a Youth Program Manager. Congratulations Chris!

Dyana Mason, Executive Director of Equality Virginia, and a graduate of the Political Leaders Program Class of 2005, will appear tonight at 8pm on the PBS program "Virginia Currents." The program will broadcast LIVE and will be taking your calls and comments.

According to the Virginia Currents website the program will focus on the proposed marriage amendment that will appear on statewide ballots here in the Commonwealth in November: "The one-hour live special will be devoted to discussion of this controversial measure. At issue is the proposed marriage amendment to the Virginia constitution which would define marriage as between a man and a woman. Opponents say the measure would deny other forms of legal relationship recognition. Viewers are invited to call in with questions and comments."

Check local listings for exact time and channel to view the program.

This just in: Kira Thompson of Richmond, a graduate of the High School Leaders Program Class of 2005, has been accepted to Hampton University. Congratulations Kira!

We have just learned that Kristin Clements, a graduate of our High School Leaders Program Class of 2005, has been accepted to the Leadership Fellows Program at Elon University. Congratulations Kristin!

In his most recent round of appointments, Governor Tim Kaine recognized the talents and contributions of two Sorensen alumni by reappointing them to their current positions.

According to the press release, "Leonard G. Cooke of Richmond will continue to serve as Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services, a position he has held since 2002. Cooke previously served as Chief of Police in Portsmouth, and has had over 30 years experience in law enforcement and public safety." Len is also a graduate of the Class of 2004 Political Leaders Program.

"Robert W. Mathieson of Virginia Beach will continue to serve as Deputy Director of Criminal Justice Services, a position he has held since 2002. Mathieson previously served as Master Police Officer in the Virginia Beach Police Department, and has over 30 years experience in law enforcement and public safety." Bob is also a graduate of the Political Leaders Program, Class of 1999.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Killian Malone, a graduate of Sorensen's High School Leaders Program Class of 2005.

Killian has just been accepted to the very competitive President's Leadership Program at Colorado State University. This is an impressive program that integrates a college education with the theoretical and practical aspects of quality leadership training.  Way to go Killian!

Assistant Director of Programs at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, Holly Hatcher (Political Leaders Program Class of 2004), is the co-founder of a new group in Charlottesville called "Left of Center."

According to Holly, the organization will work to network twenty and thirtysomething local Democrats or "dem-curious people" with the aim of engaging them in local issues and party activities.

As Holly states, "Our party will be stronger with more diversity and will remain strong if we start now to cultivate future leadership."

A kick off event was held recently at which nearly 100 people attended.

Richmond City Councilor Jackie Jackson (Political Leaders Program Class of 2002) is the author of a recent commentary in the Richmond Times-Dispatch titled "Generational Changes."

In the article Jackie challenges twenty and thirtysomethings to accept the mantle of leadership in our communities. She writes, "GenXers, where are you? Get involved with your community or
neighborhood. Spend some quality time with a child or your children
weekly. Enjoy a family meal without television. Be the positive role
model that so many of our young people need to see. Spend one hour a
week mentoring a young person. Listen to our youth; they do have
something positive to say."

Click here to read the complete text of Jackie's article.

Attached to this post are the remarks by Sorensen State Chairman Barbara Fried at our March 22, 2006 Gala.